South Korean soccer star Park Eun-seon 'humiliated' by gender claims

Park Eun-seon – South Korean soccer player Park Eun-seon is coming under "humiliating" scrutiny, with rival teams threatening to boycott competitive matches and questioning her gender.

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South Korean footballer at the center of gender debate3 photos

Park Eun-seon – Park is 1.80 meters tall and weighs 74 kg. She was top scorer in the South Korean women's league last season with 19 goals, helping her team Seoul City Hall Amazones to second place in the table.

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South Korean footballer at the center of gender debate3 photos

Park Eun-seon – "Park's gender was tested by Korean Football Association in 2004 when she was selected to national team for Athens Olympics," read a statement from the Seoul City Sports Council. "The demand from coaches from six different clubs to test the gender of Park again is double jeopardy. This is betraying the fundamental human rights of a player which should be protected at all means."

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Story highlights

South Korean female footballer caught up in gender row

Park Eun-seon represented her country at 2004 Athens Olympics

She top-scored for her club Seoul City Amazones last season

Other clubs demanding she is excluded from the league

She has played football at the highest level for her country, and has returned to the top of her game after a career lull, but Park Eun-seon is suffering "humiliating" scrutiny of the most personal kind.

In a controversy that echoes the ordeal of South African runner Caster Semenya, the 27-year-old is facing accusations about her gender.

At 1.80 meters tall and weighing 74 kg, Park was top scorer in the South Korean women's league last season with 19 goals and she led Seoul City Hall Amazones to second place in the table.

However, six rival teams have threatened a boycott if Park, who went to the 2004 Olympics, continues to play.

Her club manager Seo Jung-ho has leaped to her defense and was quoted in the local media saying it was a "conspiracy" because she had shown remarkably improved form after a slump.

Park took to social media to give her side of the story. "My heart aches and it is humiliating," she wrote on her Facebook page, according to local media.

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